West Coast Elite End of Summer Camp: The big guys
TORRANCE, Ca. – There were very few “traditional” centers on hand during the West Coast Elite End of Summer Camp at El Camino College Sunday.
But there were a handful of fellows who will also be “center-types” or “undersized 5s” in high school although they’ll be “wings” or “power forwards” on the collegiate level.
Here you go, ladies and gentlemen, and boys and girls – listed alphabetically:
Ethan Berks (Class of 2020/6-foot-8/Santa Monica)
Berks (pictured) played junior varsity as a freshman for the Vikings. But the exceptional student (3.9 grade point average) was outstanding all spring and summer and appears to be still growing, as well. He’s got a nice combination of inside-outside skills and should eventually develop into a terrific “stretch 4”. He’ll play off seniors Payton Moore and Rip Economou quite well.
Hugo Clarkin (2020/6-10/Rancho Santa Margarita Tesoro)
Like Berkin, he didn’t play varsity as a freshman. But he showed gradual improvement over the spring and summer with the West Coast Elite program (on the 2020 team with the likes of Lamont Butler, Clark Slajchert and Jadon Jones). With added strength, skills work and experience, he will evolve into a potentially forceful presence.
Finnley O’Rourke (2019/6-8/L.A. Brentwood School)
He was sidelined most of the summer with injury after showing much promise for a high school program that has considerable talent in the 2020 and ’19 classes. He’s gained strength and aggressiveness since last season, as was put on display Sunday at El Camino College. He’ll team with Braelee Albert to give Coach Ryan Bailey a strong set of posts.
Cade Potter (2019/6-8/Orange Lutheran)
Potter has offer glimpses of his considerable potential during his first two seasons with Coach Chris Nordstrom, mostly as a jump shooter and well-above average athlete. But Potter’s game is expanding significantly, showing a bigger variety of offensive skills at El Camino both with his back to the basket and in face-up situations.
Ezekiel Richards (2018/6-11/Oak Park)
Richards has the “traditional” size of a center. He’s just a few steps into being a “work in progress” as he’s only being playing organized level for a few years. But playing with Riley Battin will enable to him to face only single coverage in most games with Oak Park this season. And that will allow him to take advantage of his much-improved low-post skills.